Server, recording medium and system

ABSTRACT

A server includes a storage unit storing characteristic data objects of each user, each characteristic data object having a first parameter value representing an ability of the characteristic data object to exert power, a second parameter value representing an ability to reduce the first parameter value of each characteristic data object of another user different from the user having the characteristic data object, and one of attributes having a superiority-inferiority relationship relative to each other. The server further includes a receiving unit receiving a game proceeding instruction from a device of each user, and a parameter adjusting unit adjusting the second parameter value of each characteristic data object of the user of the device, based on a first number of characteristic data objects of the user that have an attribute superior to a first attribute assigned among characteristic data objects of a second user different from the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application which claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/185,361, filed Feb. 20, 2014, which claims benefit of JP2013-39892, filed on Feb. 28, 2013. The entire content of JP 2013-39892is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a server, a recording medium, and asystem.

BACKGROUND

Servers that provide games to portable devices over communicationnetworks have been widespread in recent years. Games provided by suchservers include those in which multiple users can participate (so-called“social games”), and among such games there are known those which notonly enable users to battle against or cooperate with each other butalso allow them to communicate with each other (for example, refer toJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-034303).

As an example of such social games, a game is also known in which a userbattles against another user by using, for example, cards (so-called“card battle games”) (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2008-142352). In a card battle game, each user can holdan arbitrary number of cards. Further, by using at least one held card,each user forms a set of cards (“deck”) to be used for the battle. Eachcard has parameters such as offensive power, defensive power, healthpoint, etc., and, based on the parameter values of the cards forming thedeck, the user tries to reduce the health point parameter value of theother user. The other user also, based on the parameter values of thecards forming the deck, tries to reduce the health point parameter valueof the user. The users thus stage an attack against each other in turnand, when the health point parameter value of one of the users isreduced to zero, the battle ends.

In such a card battle game, it is common practice to determine the totalparameter value of the deck by simply adding up the parameter values ofthe cards forming the deck. It has also been common, for example, tochange the parameter values of the cards according to the number ofcards forming the deck or the combination of the cards.

SUMMARY

However, prior art card battle games do not change the parameter valuesof the cards according to the number of cards forming the deck or thecombination of the cards. As such conditions become apparent, the deckpattern tends to be the same, which could discourage a user fromcontinuing the game.

The present invention has been devised to overcome the above prior artproblem, and an object of the invention is to provide a server, arecording medium, and a system that can maintain and enhance themotivation of the user to continue the game.

A server includes a storage unit which stores a plurality ofcharacteristic data objects of each of users, each characteristic dataobject having a first parameter value representing an ability of thecharacteristic data object to exert power, a second parameter valuerepresenting an ability of the characteristic data object to reduce thefirst parameter value of each characteristic data object of another userwho is different from the user having the characteristic data object,and one of a plurality of attributes having a superiority-inferiorityrelationship relative to each other. The server further includes areceiving unit which receives a game proceeding instruction from adevice of each of the users, and a parameter adjusting unit whichadjusts the second parameter value of each characteristic data object ofthe user of the device, based on a first number of characteristic dataobjects, among the plurality of characteristic data objects of the user,that have an attribute superior to a first attribute assigned among aplurality of characteristic data objects of a second user who isdifferent from the user.

Preferably, in the above server, the parameter adjusting unit adjuststhe second parameter value of each characteristic data object of theuser by multiplying the second parameter value by an addition ratedetermined based on the first number.

Preferably, the above server further includes a game proceeding unitwhich creates display data while reducing the first parameter value ofeach characteristic data object of the second user based on the adjustedsecond parameter value, and a transmitting unit which transmits thedisplay data to the device.

Preferably, in the above server, the parameter adjusting unit adjuststhe second parameter value of each characteristic data object of thesecond user, based on a second number of characteristic data objects,among the plurality of characteristic data objects of the second user,that have an attribute superior to a second attribute assigned among theplurality of characteristic data objects of the user.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recordedthereon a control program for a server, the server comprising a storageunit which stores a plurality of characteristic data objects of each ofusers, each characteristic data object having a first parameter valuerepresenting an ability of the characteristic data object to exertpower, a second parameter value representing an ability of thecharacteristic data object to reduce the first parameter value of eachcharacteristic data object of another user who is different from theuser having the characteristic data object, and one of a plurality ofattributes having a superiority-inferiority relationship relative toeach other. The control program causes the server to execute a process.The process includes receiving a game proceeding instruction from adevice of each of the users, and adjusting the second parameter value ofeach characteristic data object of the user of the device, based on afirst number of characteristic data objects, among the plurality ofcharacteristic data objects of the user, that have an attribute superiorto a first attribute assigned among a plurality of characteristic dataobjects of a second user who is different from the user.

A system includes a server which includes a storage unit which stores aplurality of characteristic data objects of each of users, eachcharacteristic data object having a first parameter value representingan ability of the characteristic data object to exert power, a secondparameter value representing an ability of the characteristic dataobject to reduce the first parameter value of each characteristic dataobject of another user who is different from the user having thecharacteristic data object, and one of a plurality of attributes havinga superiority-inferiority relationship relative to each other. Theserver further includes a receiving unit which receives a gameproceeding instruction from a device of each of the users, and aparameter adjusting unit which adjusts the second parameter value ofeach characteristic data object of the user of the device, based on afirst number of characteristic data objects, among the plurality ofcharacteristic data objects of the user, that have an attribute superiorto a first attribute assigned among a plurality of characteristic dataobjects of a second user who is different from the user. The systemfurther includes a device which transmits the proceeding instruction tothe server.

By adjusting the parameter values of each user's characteristic dataobjects based on the attributes of each user's characteristic dataobjects, the above server, recording medium and system can increase theattractiveness of the game, and thus maintain and enhance the motivationof the user to continue the game, which serves to maintain the user'sinterest in the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present optical device will beapparent from the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a to 1c show an example of a method for adjusting the parametervalues;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a game system;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the portabledevice;

FIGS. 4a to 4c show an example of a schematic configuration of theserver;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of operationsperformed in the game system; and

FIGS. 6a and 6b show an example of an operation flow of the server.

DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a server, a recordingmedium, and a system will be described. It should be noted that thetechnical scope of the present invention is not limited to embodimentsof the invention but covers the invention described in the claims andits equivalent.

In the present embodiment, a user battles against another user by usingcards. Each user holds an arbitrary number of cards (characteristic dataobjects), and forms a deck by using at least one card selected fromamong the cards held. Each card has a “fire” attribute, a “wood”attribute, or a “water” attribute, in addition to parameters such asoffensive power, defensive power, health point (a parameter representingan ability to exert power), etc. In accordance with an instruction fromthe user, the user's portable device transmits a request to a server torequest a battle with another user. In response to the request, theserver initiates the battle with the opponent. Prior to the initiationof the battle with the opponent, the server adjusts the parameter valuesof the cards forming each user's deck, based on the attributes of thecards. The server causes the battle to proceed based on the adjustedparameter values.

A superiority-inferiority relationship is predefined between theattributes. FIG. 1a shows an example of the superiority-inferiorityrelationship between the attributes. In FIG. 1a , it is shown that the“fire” attribute is superior to the “wood” attribute, the “wood”attribute is superior to the “water” attribute, and the “water”attribute superior to the “fire” attribute. That is, it is shown thatthere is a scissors-paper-rock relationship between these attributes.

Based on the superiority-inferiority relationship predefined between theattributes, the server adjusts the parameter values of the cards. Forexample, for each given attribute, the server calculates the followingequations to adjust the parameter value of each card that has the givenattribute.r=1+(n _(s) ×n _(i))/100  (equation 1)p′=r×p  (equation 2)where n_(s) is the number (first number) of cards having the givenattribute among the cards forming the user's deck, n_(i) is the numberof cards having the attribute inferior to the given attribute among thecards forming the opponent user's deck, r is the addition rate for thegiven attribute, p is the parameter value of the card having the givenattribute, and p′ is the adjusted parameter value of the card having thegiven attribute. More specifically, the addition rate for the givenattribute is calculated by using the equation 1, and the parameter valueof the card having the given attribute is adjusted by multiplying theparameter value by the addition rate determined for the given attribute.

FIG. 1b shows an example of how the parameter values are adjusted. InFIG. 1b , it is shown that the user₁'s deck is formed by three cardshaving the “fire” attribute and that the user₂'s deck is formed by threecards having the “wood” attribute. In this case, when the user₂ is seenfrom the user′, the number of cards having the “fire” attribute amongthe cards forming the user₁'s deck is three, and the number of cardshaving the “wood” attribute inferior to the “fire” attribute among thecards forming the user₂'s deck is also three. Therefore, the additionrate r for the “fire” attribute is calculated asr=1+(3×3)/100=1.09Accordingly, the parameter value (for example, offensive power parametervalue) p′ of the card₁₁ is calculated asp′=1.09×100=109and is thus adjusted from “100” to “109”. Similarly, the parameter valueof the card₁₂ is adjusted from “200” to “218”, and the parameter valueof the card₁₃ is adjusted from “300” to “327”.

On the other hand, when the user₁ is seen from the user₂, the number ofcards having the “wood” attribute among the cards forming the user₂'sdeck is three, but the number of cards having the “water” attributeinferior to the “wood” attribute among the cards forming the user₁'sdeck is zero. Therefore, the addition rate r for the “wood” attribute iscalculated asr=1+(3×0)/100=1Accordingly, the parameter values of the card₂₁ to the card₂₃ areadjusted to the same values as their original values.

FIG. 1c shows another example of how the parameter values are adjusted.In FIG. 1c , it is shown that the user₁'s deck is formed by three cardshaving the “fire” attribute and that the user₂'s deck is formed by twocards having the “wood” attribute and one card having the “water”attribute. In this case, when the user₂ is seen from the user₁, thenumber of cards having the “fire” attribute among the cards forming theuser₁'s deck is three, and the number of cards having the “wood”attribute inferior to the “fire” attribute among the cards forming theuser₂'s deck is two. Therefore, the addition rate r for the “fire”attribute is calculated asr=1+(3×2)/100=1.06Accordingly, the parameter value p′ of the card₁₁ is calculated asp′=1.06×100=106and is thus adjusted from “100” to “106”. Similarly, the parameter valueof the card₁₂ is adjusted from “200” to “212”, and the parameter valueof the card₁₃ is adjusted from “300” to “318”.

On the other hand, when the user₁ is seen from the user₂, the number ofcards having the “wood” attribute among the cards forming the user₂'sdeck is two, but the number of cards having the “water” attributeinferior to the “wood” attribute among the cards forming the user₁'sdeck is zero. Therefore, the addition rate r for the “wood” attribute iscalculated asr=1+(2×0)/100=1Accordingly, the parameter values of the card₂₁ and the card₂₂ areadjusted to the same values as their original values.

Further, the number of cards having the “water” attribute among thecards forming the user₂'s deck is one, and the number of cards havingthe “fire” attribute inferior to the “water” attribute among the cardsforming the user₁'s deck is three. Therefore, the addition rate r forthe “water” attribute is calculated asr=1+(1×3)/100=1.03Accordingly, the parameter value p′ of the card₂₃ is calculated asp′=1.03×300=309and is thus adjusted from “300” to “309”.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a game system 1.

The game system 1 includes at least one portable device 2 and a server3. The portable device 2 and the server 3 are interconnected via acommunication network, for example, via a base station 4, a mobilecommunication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7. A program (forexample, a browsing program) executed on the portable device 2 and aprogram (for example, a game program) executed on the server 3communicate with each other by using a communication protocol such asHypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the portabledevice 2.

The portable device 2 is connected to the server 3 via the base station4, the mobile communication network 5, the gateway 6, and the Internet7, to communicate with the server 3. In accordance with an operation ofan operation unit 23 (a button, etc.) by the user, the portable device 2requests the proceeding of a card battle game of the server 3. Theportable device 2 receives display data concerning the proceeding of thecard battle game from the server 3, and displays the data. For thispurpose, the portable device 2 includes a device communication unit 21,a device storage unit 22, the operation unit 23, a display unit 24, anda device processing unit 25.

In the present embodiment, the portable device 2 is assumed to be amulti-function mobile telephone (“smartphone”), but the presentinvention is not limited to this particular type of device. The portabledevice 2 may be, for example, an ordinary mobile phone (“featurephone”), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game machine, aportable music player, a tablet PC, or the like, as long as the presentinvention can be applied thereto.

The device communication unit 21 includes a communication interfacecircuit which includes an antenna having sensitivity to a designatedfrequency band, and connects the portable device 2 to the wirelesscommunication network. The device communication unit 21 establishes awireless signal circuit with the base station 4 in accordance with acommunication scheme such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) byusing a channel allocated by the base station 4, and communicates withthe base station 4. Then, the device communication unit 21 transmitsdata supplied from the device processing unit 25 to the server 3, etc.Further, the device communication unit 21 supplies data received fromthe server 3, etc., to the device processing unit 25.

The device storage unit 22 includes at least one device selected, forexample, from among a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, andan optical disk device. The device storage unit 22 stores an operatingsystem program, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., to beused for processing in the device processing unit 25. For example, thedevice storage unit 22 stores driver programs such as an input devicedriver program for controlling the operation unit 23 and an outputdevice driver program for controlling the display unit 24. Further, thedevice storage unit 22 stores application programs such as a program forretrieving and displaying display data concerning the proceeding of thecard battle game. Furthermore, the device storage unit 22 stores datasuch as display data, video data, image data, etc., concerning theproceeding of the card battle game. The device storage unit 22 mayfurther store temporary data associated with prescribed processing.

The operation unit 23 may be, for example, a touch pad, a keyboard, orany other suitable device that can operate the portable device 2. Theuser can input letters, numerals, etc., by using the operating unit 23.When operated by the user, the operation unit 23 generates a signalcorresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied as auser instruction to the device processing unit 25.

The display unit 24 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, anorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or any other suitable devicethat can display video, images, etc. The display unit 24 displays video,images, etc., corresponding to the video data and the image datasupplied from the device processing unit 25.

The device processing unit 25 includes one or a plurality of processorsand their peripheral circuits. The device processing unit 25 centrallycontrols the entire operation of the portable device 2, and is, forexample, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The device processing unit 25controls the operation of the device communication unit 21, the displayunit 24, etc., so that various kinds of processing of the portabledevice 2 are performed in appropriate procedures in accordance with theprograms stored in the device storage unit 22 and with the operation ofthe operation unit 23, etc. The device processing unit 25 executesprocessing based on the programs (the operating system program, driverprograms, application programs, etc.) stored in the device storage unit22. The device processing unit 25 can execute a plurality of programs(application programs, etc.) in parallel.

The device processing unit 25 includes at least a browsing executingunit 251. This unit is a functional module implemented by a programexecuted on the processor included in the device processing unit 25.Alternatively, this unit may be implemented as firmware in the portabledevice 2.

The browsing executing unit 251 retrieves and displays display dataconcerning the proceeding of the card battle game. That is, in responseto an instruction from the user, the browsing executing unit 251transmits a request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21to retrieve the display data concerning the proceeding of the cardbattle game. The browsing executing unit 251 receives the correspondingdisplay data from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. Thebrowsing executing unit 251 creates drawing data based on the receiveddisplay data. More specifically, the browsing executing unit 251analyzes the received display data to identify control data and contentdata, and creates the drawing data by laying out the identified contentdata in accordance with the identified control data. Then, the browsingexecuting unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to the display unit24.

FIG. 4a shows an example of a schematic configuration of the server 3.

In response to the request from the portable device 2, the server 3causes the card battle game to proceed. At the same time, the server 3creates the display data concerning the proceeding of the card battlegame and transmits the display data to the portable device 2. For thispurpose, the server 3 includes a server communication unit 31, a serverstorage unit 32, and a server processing unit 33.

The server communication unit 31 includes a communication interfacecircuit for connecting the server 3 to the Internet 7, and communicateswith the Internet 7. Then, the server communication unit 31 supplies thedata received from the portable device 2, etc., to the server processingunit 33. Further, the server communication unit 31 transmits the datasupplied from the server processing unit 33 to the portable device 2,etc.

The server storage unit 32 includes at least one device selected, forexample, from among a magnetic tape device, a magnetic disk device, andan optical disk device. The serer storage unit 32 stores an operatingsystem program, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., to beused for processing in the server processing unit 33. For example, theserver storage unit 32 stores application programs such as a card battlegame program for causing the card battle game to proceed and forcreating display data concerning the results. Furthermore, the serverstorage unit 32 stores data in the form of tables such as a usermanagement table (FIG. 4b ) for managing the users and a card managementtable (FIG. 4c ) for managing the cards. The server storage unit 32 mayfurther store temporary data associated with prescribed processing.

FIG. 4b shows an example of the data structure of the user managementtable for managing the users. The user management table contains entriesfor each user that include the user ID, name, image data file name, usercard IDs, deck card IDs, health point parameter, and opponent user ID,etc. The deck card IDs refer to the IDs of the cards selected as a deckfrom among the cards that the user holds. The health point parameter isthe parameter that represents the remaining amount of the user's healthpoint.

FIG. 4c shows an example of the data structure of the card managementtable for managing the cards. The card management table contains entriesfor each card that include the card ID, card name, image data file name,attribute, parameters such as offensive power, defensive power, andhealth point, and adjusted parameters, etc. The adjusted parametersrefer to the parameters that have been adjusted by a parameter adjustingunit 332 to be described later.

The server processing unit 33 includes one or a plurality of processorsand their peripheral circuits. The server processing unit 33 centrallycontrols the entire operation of the server 3, and is, for example, aCPU. The server processing unit 33 controls the operation of the servercommunication unit 31, etc., so that various kinds of processing of theserver 3 are performed in appropriate procedures in accordance with theprograms stored in the server storage unit 32, etc. The serverprocessing unit 33 executes processing based on the programs (theoperating system program, driver programs, application programs, etc.)stored in the server storage unit 32. The server processing unit 33 canexecute a plurality of programs (application programs, etc.) inparallel.

The server processing unit 33 includes a control unit 331, the parameteradjusting unit 332, and a battle proceeding unit 333. These units arefunctional modules implemented by a program executed on the processorincluded in the server processing unit 33. Alternatively, these unitsmay be implemented as firmware in the server 3.

The process performed by the control unit 331 will be described below.

The control unit 331 controls the proceeding of the card battle game,and instructs the parameter adjusting unit 332, the battle proceedingunit 333, etc., to perform necessary processing.

When a user authentication request is received from the portable device2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 analyzesthe received user authentication request and identifies the user ID andpassword. Then, by using the identified user ID and password asparameters, the control unit 331 instructs a user authenticating unit(not shown) to perform the necessary processing.

When the user has been authenticated by the user authenticating unit notshown, the control unit 331 creates home screen display data. Morespecifically, the control unit 331 refers to the user management tablestored in the server storage unit 32, and designates the opponent userbased on a predetermined criterion (with equal probability by using, forexample, a pseudo-random number generated using current time or the likeas a seed). Further, the control unit 331 extracts the designatedopponent user's ID, name, and image data file name. Then, the controlunit 331 creates the home screen display data, including the extractedopponent user ID and the identified user ID, for arranging the extractedname, the image indicated by the file name, a button for accepting abattle initiation instruction, etc., in accordance with a prescribedlayout.

The control unit 331 transmits the created home screen display data tothe portable device 2 via the server communication unit 31.

When a battle initiation request is received from the portable device 2via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 instructs theparameter adjusting unit 332 to perform processing by using the receivedbattle initiation request as a parameter.

Further, when a battle proceeding request is received from the portabledevice 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331instructs the battle proceeding unit 333 to perform processing by usingthe received battle proceeding request as a parameter.

The control unit 331 transmits the created battle screen display data tothe portable device 2 via the server communication unit 31.

The process performed by the parameter adjusting unit 332 will bedescribed below.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 extracts the attributes and parametersof the cards forming each user's deck. More specifically, the parameteradjusting unit 332 analyzes the received battle initiation request andidentifies the user ID and the opponent user ID. Further, by using theidentified user ID as the key, the parameter adjusting unit 332 refersto the user management table stored in the server storage unit 32, andidentifies the corresponding user. Then, the parameter adjusting unit332 extracts the deck card IDs of the identified user. Further, by usingthe extracted card IDs as the keys, the parameter adjusting unit 332refers to the card management table stored in the server storage unit32, and identifies the corresponding cards. Then, the parameteradjusting unit 332 extracts the attributes and the parameters, such asoffensive power, defensive power, and health point, associated with eachidentified card.

Similarly, by using the identified opponent user ID as the key, theparameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the user management table storedin the server storage unit 32, and identifies the corresponding user.Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 extracts the deck card IDs of theidentified user. Further, by using the extracted card IDs as the keys,the parameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the card management tablestored in the server storage unit 32, and identifies the correspondingcards. Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 extracts the attributesand the parameters, such as offensive power, defensive power, and healthpoint, associated with each identified card.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 adjusts the extracted parameter values.More specifically, based on the extracted attribute associated with eachuser, the parameter adjusting unit 332 adjusts the extracted parametervalues such as offensive power, defensive power, etc., associated withthe user. Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 stores these adjustedvalues as the adjusted parameter values for the identified user's cardsin the card management table stored in the server storage unit 32.

Similarly, based on the extracted attribute associated with each user,the parameter adjusting unit 332 adjusts the extracted parameter valuessuch as offensive power, defensive power, etc., associated with theopponent user. Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 stores theseadjusted values as the adjusted parameter values for the identifiedopponent user's cards in the card management table stored in the serverstorage unit 32.

The method of adjusting the parameter values is the same as thatdescribed earlier.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 sets the health point parameter foreach user. More specifically, the parameter adjusting unit 332 sums theextracted health point parameter values associated with the user. Then,the parameter adjusting unit 332 stores the sum as the health pointparameter value of the identified user in the user management tablestored in the server storage unit 32.

Likewise, the parameter adjusting unit 332 sums the extracted healthpoint parameter values associated with the opponent user. Then, theparameter adjusting unit 332 stores the sum as the health pointparameter value of the identified opponent user in the user managementtable stored in the server storage unit 32.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 sets the opponent user for each user.More specifically, the parameter adjusting unit 332 stores theidentified opponent user ID as the ID of the opponent user for theidentified user in the user management table stored in the serverstorage unit 32.

Similarly, the parameter adjusting unit 332 stores the identified userID as the ID of the opponent user for the identified opponent user inthe user management table stored in the server storage unit 32.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 creates battle screen display data.More specifically, by using the identified user ID as the key, theparameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the user management table storedin the server storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name,deck card IDs, and health point parameter associated with thecorresponding user. Further, by using the extracted card IDs as thekeys, the parameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the card managementtable stored in the server storage unit 32, and extracts the image datafile name associated with each corresponding card.

Similarly, by using the identified opponent user ID as the key, theparameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the user management table storedin the server storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name,deck card IDs, and health point parameter associated with thecorresponding user. Further, by using the extracted card IDs as thekeys, the parameter adjusting unit 332 refers to the card managementtable stored in the server storage unit 32, and extracts the image datafile name associated with each corresponding card.

Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 creates the battle screen displaydata, including the identified user ID, for arranging the imageindicated by the extracted file name and the health point parameterassociated with each extracted user, a button for accepting an attackexecution instruction, etc., in accordance with a prescribed layout.

Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 terminates the process.

The process performed by the battle proceeding unit 333 will bedescribed below.

The battle proceeding unit 333 causes the battle to proceed. Morespecifically, the battle proceeding unit 333 analyzes the receivedbattle proceeding request and identifies the type of instruction and theuser ID. If the identified type of instruction is “attack execution”,the battle proceeding unit 333 executes an attack process.

The battle proceeding unit 333 extracts each user's health pointparameter and the adjusted parameters of the cards forming the user'sdeck. More specifically, by using the identified user ID as the key, thebattle proceeding unit 333 refers to the user management table stored inthe server storage unit 32, and identifies the corresponding user. Then,the battle proceeding unit 333 extracts the deck card IDs, the healthpoint parameter, and the ID of the opponent user for the identifieduser. Further, by using the extracted card IDs as the keys, the battleproceeding unit 333 refers to the card management table stored in theserver storage unit 32, and extracts the adjusted parameters of eachcorresponding card.

Similarly, by using the extracted opponent user ID as the key, thebattle proceeding unit 333 refers to the user management table stored inthe server storage unit 32, and identifies the corresponding user. Then,the battle proceeding unit 333 extracts the deck card IDs and the healthpoint parameter for the identified user. Further, by using the extractedcard IDs as the keys, the battle proceeding unit 333 refers to the cardmanagement table stored in the server storage unit 32, and extracts theadjusted parameters of each corresponding card.

The battle proceeding unit 333 executes the battle by performing variousprocessing concerning the battle. For example, the battle proceedingunit 333 updates the health point parameter value of the opponent user,based on the sum of the adjusted offensive power parameter valuesassociated with the user and the sum of the adjusted defensive powerparameter values associated with the opponent user. Then, the battleproceeding unit 333 stores the updated value as the health pointparameter value of the identified opponent user in the user managementtable stored in the server storage unit 32.

Similarly, the battle proceeding unit 333 updates the health pointparameter value of the user, based on the sum of the adjusted offensivepower parameter values associated with the opponent user and the sum ofthe adjusted defensive power parameter values associated with the user.Then, the battle proceeding unit 333 stores the updated value as thehealth point parameter value of the identified user in the usermanagement table stored in the server storage unit 32.

The battle proceeding unit 333 creates battle screen display data. Morespecifically, by using the identified user ID as the key, the battleproceeding unit 333 refers to the user management table stored in theserver storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name, deck cardIDs, and health point parameter associated with the corresponding user.Further, by using the extracted card IDs as the keys, the battleproceeding unit 333 refers to the card management table stored in theserver storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name associatedwith each corresponding card.

Similarly, by using the identified opponent user ID as the key, thebattle proceeding unit 333 refers to the user management table stored inthe server storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name, deckcard IDs, and health point parameter associated with the correspondinguser. Further, by using the extracted card IDs as the keys, the battleproceeding unit 333 refers to the card management table stored in theserver storage unit 32, and extracts the image data file name associatedwith each corresponding card.

Then, the battle proceeding unit 333 creates the battle screen displaydata, including the identified user ID, for arranging the imageindicated by the extracted file name and the health point parameterassociated with each extracted user, a button for accepting an attackexecution instruction, etc., in accordance with a prescribed layout.

On the other hand, if the identified type of instruction is other than“attack execution”, the battle proceeding unit 333 executes theprocessing that matches the type of instruction.

Then, the battle proceeding unit 333 terminates the process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of operationsperformed in the game system 1. The sequence of operations describedhereinafter is executed primarily by the device processing unit 25 andthe server processing unit 33 in cooperation with each of the units ofthe portable device 2 and the server 3, based on the programs prestoredin the device storage unit 22 and the server storage unit 32,respectively.

The user operates the operation unit 23 to instruct the deviceprocessing unit 25 to execute a program for retrieving and displayingthe display data concerning the proceeding of the card battle game. Thedevice processing unit 25 starts the processing based on the program.More specifically, when the user ID and password are inputted by theuser operating the operation unit 23, the browsing executing unit 251,which is implemented by the program, transmits a user authenticationrequest including the inputted user ID and password to the server 3 viathe device communication unit 21 (step S500).

When the user authentication request is received from the portabledevice 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331analyzes the received user authentication request and identifies theuser ID and password. Then, by using the identified user ID and passwordas parameters, the control unit 331 instructs the user authenticatingunit (not shown) to perform the necessary processing (step S502).

When the user has been authenticated by the user authenticating unit notshown, the control unit 331 creates home screen display data (stepS504).

The control unit 331 transmits the created home screen display data tothe portable device 2 via the server communication unit 31 (step S506).

When the home screen display data is received from the server 3 via thedevice communication unit 21, the browsing executing unit 251 createsdrawing data based on the received home screen display data. Thebrowsing executing unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to thedisplay unit 24 to display the home screen (step S508).

When an instruction for initiating a battle with another user isinputted on the home screen by the user operating the operation unit 23,the browsing executing unit 251 transmits a battle initiation requestincluding the user ID included in the received home screen display data,the opponent user ID corresponding to that other user, etc., to theserver 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S510).

When the battle initiation request is received from the portable device2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 instructsthe parameter adjusting unit 332 to perform processing by using thereceived battle initiation request as a parameter (step S512).

FIG. 6a shows an example of an operation flow of the parameter adjustingunit 332.

The parameter adjusting unit 332 analyzes the received battle initiationrequest and identifies the user ID and the opponent user ID. Further,the parameter adjusting unit 332 extracts the attributes and parametersof the cards forming the user's deck (step S600).

The parameter adjusting unit 332 also extracts the attributes andparameters of the cards forming the opponent user's deck (step S602).

The parameter adjusting unit 332 adjusts the extracted parameter valuesassociated with the user (step S604).

The parameter adjusting unit 332 stores these adjusted values as theadjusted parameter values for the user's cards (step S606).

Further, the parameter adjusting unit 332 adjusts the extractedparameter values associated with the opponent user (step S608).

The parameter adjusting unit 332 stores these adjusted values as theadjusted parameter values for the opponent user's cards (step S610).

The parameter adjusting unit 332 creates battle screen display data(step S612). Then, the parameter adjusting unit 332 terminates theprocess.

Turning back to FIG. 5, the control unit 331 transmits the createdbattle screen display data to the portable device 2 via the servercommunication unit 31 (step S514).

When the battle screen display data is received from the server 3 viathe device communication unit 21, the browsing executing unit 251creates drawing data based on the received battle screen display data.The browsing executing unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to thedisplay unit 24 to display the battle screen (step S516).

When an attack execution instruction or the like is inputted on thebattle screen by the user operating the operation unit 23, the browsingexecuting unit 251 transmits a battle proceeding request including thetype of instruction, the user ID included in the received battle screendisplay data, etc., to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21(step S518).

When the battle proceeding request is received from the portable device2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 instructsthe battle proceeding unit 333 to perform processing by using thereceived battle proceeding request as a parameter (step S520).

FIG. 6b is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of thebattle proceeding unit 333.

The battle proceeding unit 333 analyzes the received battle proceedingrequest and identifies the type of instruction and the user ID. If theidentified type of instruction is “attack execution” (Yes in step S620),the battle proceeding unit 333 extracts the user's health pointparameter, the adjusted parameters of the cards forming the user's deck,and the opponent user ID (step S622).

Similarly, the battle proceeding unit 333 extracts the opponent user'shealth point parameter and the adjusted parameters of the cards formingthe opponent user's deck (step S624).

The battle proceeding unit 333 executes the battle by performing variousprocessing concerning the battle (step S626).

The battle proceeding unit 333 creates battle screen display data (stepS628). Then, the battle proceeding unit 333 terminates the process.

On the other hand, if the identified type of instruction is other than“attack execution”, the battle proceeding unit 333 executes theprocessing that matches the type of instruction (step S630). Then, thebattle proceeding unit 333 terminates the process.

Turning back to FIG. 5, the control unit 331 transmits the createdbattle screen display data to the portable device 2 via the servercommunication unit 31 (step S522).

When the battle screen display data is received from the server 3 viathe device communication unit 21, the browsing executing unit 251creates drawing data based on the received battle screen display data.The browsing executing unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to thedisplay unit 24 to display the battle screen (step S524).

As has been described above, by adjusting the parameter values of eachuser's cards based on the attributes of each user's cards, theattractiveness of the game can be increased, and thus the motivation ofthe user to continue the game can be maintained and enhanced, whichserves to maintain the user's interest in the game.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, inthe present embodiment, three different card attributes have beendefined and used, but the number of card attributes may be two or fouror more, as long as a superiority-inferiority relationship is predefinedbetween the attributes. This increases the attractiveness of the game,and further motivates the user to continue the game.

While the present embodiment has been described by taking as an examplea game in which one user battles against another user, the user may bemade to battles against a character created by a game program. In thiscase, since the user can battle against various opponents, theattractiveness of the game increases, and further motivates the user tocontinue the game.

A computer program for causing a computer to execute the respectivefunctions of the device processing unit 25 and the server processingunit 33 may be provided in a form recorded on a computer readablerecording medium such as a magnetic recording medium or an opticalrecording medium.

It should be understood that various changes, substitutions, andmodifications can be made to the present invention by those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise formdisclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Theinvention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained andillustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for controlling a computer including astorage unit, the computer providing a game in which a user and anopponent battle against each other, the method comprising the steps of:(a) storing in the storage unit a character table for a plurality ofgame characters, the character table including an identifier, a healthpoint, an offensive power and one of a plurality of attributes for eachof the game characters, wherein the attributes have a superiorityinferiority relationship relative to each other; (b) receiving an userinput for selecting one or more game characters used by the user forplaying a battle event in the game; (c) for a first game characterincluded in the one or more game characters, determining a first numberwhich is the number of game characters that are used by the first userand have the same attribute as the first game character; (d) determininga second number which is the number of game characters that are used bythe opponent in the battle event and have an attribute inferior to saidsame attribute; (e) adjusting the offensive power of the first gamecharacter to a larger value as the first and second numbers increase;(f) storing the adjusted offensive power in the storage unit so as to beassociated with the identifier of the first game character, therebyupdating the character table; (g) displaying a battle screen including abutton for accepting an attack execution instruction from the user; and(h) reducing health points of the user and the opponent in accordancewith offensive powers of the one or more game characters obtained fromthe updated character table, while continuously monitoring progress ofthe battle event.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step(a), a defensive power is further stored for each of the game charactersin the character table, in step (e), the defensive power of the firstgame character is also adjusted to a larger value as the first andsecond numbers increase, in step (f), the adjusted defensive power isalso stored in the storage unit so as to be associated with theidentifier of the first game character, and in step (h), the healthpoints of the user and the opponent are reduced in accordance with theoffensive powers and defensive powers of the one or more gamecharacters.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step (f), thecharacter table is updated before the battle event starts.
 4. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recordedthereon a program for controlling a computer including a storage unit,the computer providing a game in which a user and an opponent battleagainst each other, the program causing the computer to execute aprocess, the process comprising the steps of: storing in the storageunit a character table for a plurality of game characters, the charactertable including an identifier, a health point, an offensive power andone of a plurality of attributes for each of the game characters,wherein the attributes have a superiority inferiority relationshiprelative to each other; receiving an user input for selecting one ormore game characters used by the user for playing a battle event in thegame; for a first game character included in the one or more gamecharacters, determining a first number which is the number of gamecharacters that are used by the first user and have the same attributeas the first game character; determining a second number which is thenumber of game characters that are used by the opponent in the battleevent and have an attribute inferior to said same attribute; adjustingthe offensive power of the first game character to a larger value as thefirst and second numbers increase; storing the adjusted offensive powerin the storage unit so as to be associated with the identifier of thefirst game character, thereby updating the character table; displaying abattle screen including a button for accepting an attack executioninstruction from the user; and reducing health points of the user andthe opponent in accordance with offensive powers of the one or more gamecharacters obtained from the updated character table, while continuouslymonitoring progress of the battle event.
 5. A computer for providing agame in which a user and an opponent battle against each other, thecomputer comprising: a storage device storing a character table for aplurality of game characters, the character table including anidentifier, a health point, an offensive power and one of a plurality ofattributes for each of the game characters, wherein the attributes havea superiority inferiority relationship relative to each other; and aprocessing device executing a process including receiving an user inputfor selecting one or more game characters used by the user for playing abattle event in the game, for a first game character included in the oneor more game characters, determining a first number which is the numberof game characters that are used by the first user and have the sameattribute as the first game character, determining a second number whichis the number of game characters that are used by the opponent in thebattle event and have an attribute inferior to said same attribute,adjusting the offensive power of the first game character to a largervalue as the first and second numbers increase, storing the adjustedoffensive power in the storage device so as to be associated with theidentifier of the first game character, thereby updating the charactertable, displaying a battle screen including a button for accepting anattack execution instruction from the user, and reducing health pointsof the user and the opponent in accordance with offensive powers of theone or more game characters obtained from the updated character table,while continuously monitoring progress of the battle event.